Keeping it in Delta County: Kirby Henderson

Kirby Henderson gives instructions over the fence to a triple jumper at a recent state meet. Colorado Track XC file photo.

Where I coach at The Classical Academy, we have a tradition of making a checklist of the 3A teams and athletes we want to keep track of every year at the state meet. There are a few teams that are reliably on that list, and Kirby Henderson's Cedaredge team is always on the list. So, it was as much out of admiration as curiosity that I wanted to know a little more about the man in Bruin blue.

Take us through your high school career in track and field--what you ran, and a couple of highlights of the experience for you.
 
My main focus in high school track was always the hurdles. My dad was a 1963 state champion out of Roaring Fork High School in the 120 yard highs and 180 lows. I wanted to follow suit. That [the state championships] never happened for me, but I'm good with that. I also was a member of the 800m relay and ran the 200 meter dash at most meets.  It was a great four years.
 
Was track and field part of your college experience as well?
 
I was fortunate enough to walk on at Western State College track and field and have a wonderful experience for those years. I concentrated on the 400 hurdles during that time.
 
I know about Cedaredge because my mother grew up there, but how did find your way to Cedaredge? What led to you becoming the track coach there?
 
Cedaredge was always a rival for kids growing up in Hotchkiss, so I've known about Cedaredge for close to 40 years now. It's fun to see Hotchkiss as the rival being the true blue Bruin I am now. After college I was able to land a teaching job in Cedaredge and threw my name in the hat as an assistant track coach.  Fortunately, the high school coach at the time knew me from my high school days and hired me on as a hurdle coach. I assisted for two seasons, '97 and '98. At that point, the coach passed the "baton" to me and my head coaching career was underway in 1999.
 
What's been the best part about coaching in Cedaredge?
 
The best part of coaching in Cedaredge is the student-athletes. I've been blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of so many great lives. The community, parents, and schools have been very supportive.  It's a great place to be a coach.
 
Do you coach any other sports in addition to track and field?
 
I've been coaching middle school boys' basketball since 1997 as well. I've also coached pee-wee basketball for my daughters' teams and son's team for years. It's been fun.
 
You've had a lot of success, and particularly so for being at one of the smaller schools in the 3A classification, with sprints, jumps, and hurdles. Which event area is your favorite to coach?
 
I don't coach every event. I have, for many years now, an unbelievable coaching staff who each specialized in and have deep histories in the events they coach. They are one of the main reasons Cedaredge track has been competitive.  The athletes, parents, competitors, and the fact that we've had an actual track since 2006 have all contributed to our success. If I had to choose a favorite event to coach, I would say it's the hurdles.
 
What gets you out of bed every morning, so to speak, and keeps the fires going for you as a coach?
 
What gets me out of bed and keeps that coaching fire going is the chance to witness a youngster succeed in athletics. You know as well as I there's not much better than that. To see the kids work through adversity and much more only to come out on top is such a pleasure.  I am inspired by them each and every season.  They learn so many life lessons.
 
What can we look forward to from Cedaredge track and field this spring?
 
This upcoming season, you can look forward to seeing Cedaredge track athletes who are respectful, competitive, and hard workers.